Landmark special master says sale will go through

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP) — The special master for Landmark Medical Center says he's confident its sale to a California hospital chain will be approved by state regulators.

Jonathan Savage's comments came after the union representing employees at Landmark signed a tentative agreement with an alternate buyer for the Woonsocket hospital.

Landmark Hospital Holdco approached the United Nurses and Allied Professionals with a contract the union's Christopher Callaci called "far superior" to the one it has with Prime Healthcare Services. Callaci told The Providence Journal it was "prudent" to explore alternatives.

Savage says the agreement will have "no effect" on the review process or the court-approved agreement for Prime to buy Landmark.

Prime is under a federal investigation of Medicare billing practices.

Holdco, a New Jersey hospital group, had last year sought to buy Landmark.